Can manners make a come-back? (part II)

Hello, blogfan!

Not that long ago (I'd post the link, but I couldn't find it!), I posted just that question, wondering if it is, in fact, too late for most of this generation to get off of the "me first" plank they're on and jump to another one.

Apparently, it IS!

Last night, MDB and I attended the rodeo. We go several times a year to see artists that we like or simply to watch the goings on and marvel at the spectacle. I've wondered aloud several times if today's kids are lost, at least in terms of having any common courtesy or even the slightest consideration for anyone else.

I'm done wondering now!

Last night, we had tickets, thanks to a co-worker, that are the most expensive in the place. You would think that the clientele in that section would have a little class; you know, actually ACT like they've had some upbringing or some sense of social grace.

Wrong again!

It all started on the bus ride over to the place. I've always been taught that it's "last on, first off" and you should wait your turn. Well, that's what I thought until I got run over by a lady from the back of the bus, who apparently was raised by chimpanzees or something. Oh well...let it go; just one moron out of 100,000 people, right?

Wrong!

As we weaved our way through the crowd, person after person ran in front of us (from the side) as if we weren't even there! Look; I'm not a small guy! You'd have to be Ray Charles not to see me and MDB coming! How about wait for us to pass and move BEHIND us instead of forcing us to stop so you can get your sausage on a stick 2 seconds earlier?

Mindboggling!

Then, we finally got into the arena and sat down. Now, I know that not all that many people are there to see the rodeo. I get that. What's wrong with finding your seat by concert time and then sitting there (or getting up when everyone else does) so as not to disturb the other people around you? The group behind us must have had 4,372 beers between the four of them. How do I know? They kicked me in the back of the head EVERY TIME they got up to get one, that's how! Not to be topped by that group, the group sitting to the inside of us had 2,327! I know THAT because I counted every time one of the idiots stepped on my foot (oh, and, silly me, I rose to my feet on each occasion to be COURTEOUS and to prevent them from having to step on me, for all the good THAT did!)!! Then, there was the cadre of clowns in the row just in front of us. They seemed to be a nice little family, but mom apparently quit at step 5 since she had 2,156 beers ALL BY HERSELF during the performance! First of all, at $4.50 a pop, WHO CAN AFFORD TO DRINK THAT MUCH??? Second, if you're only there to get drunk, why didn't you stay at home so you're not endangering anyone else and not disturbing half the arena with your constant "get a beer, go to the bathroom" routine?

I don't get it!

Then, the straw that paralyzed the camel came when a group of four people showed up 15 minutes into the concert and insisted that the four people who were already there get up and move. This was really odd for a couple of reasons. First, why on earth would you pay that much for a ticket (x4) and then show up when there's all of about 30 minutes left in the show? Secondly, when you DO show up that late, why not just take the 4 seats that are empty to the right of the group that's already seated? Why do we have to disturb everyone else behind you? Finally, HOW FREAKIN' LAZY was it for the group that was already there to not simply sit in the seats they had tickets for in the first place (the 4 empty seats that the late-comers could easily have chosen WITHOUT all the fanfare!)? That was the end of it for me! I said as loudly as necessary, "Match the number on the seat with the one on the freakin' ticket! It's not that hard!", but I don't think they heard me, because they continued to ruin it for everyone behind them for another 10 minutes! Unbelievable!

Well, I'm glad I got that off my chest! I feel better now!